yeah wrong knuckle..........some D44's have the taper from the top, some from the bottom depending on year and application.

you WILL need to swap another knuckle on before trying to drive that. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

oh i'll drive it... onto a car dolly. the suck part is that its already machined and tapped for highsteer, if I decide to go that route. maybe I can just ream it and use a bigger tre.

looking good I can't wait to get mine fixed I only got to take it out once. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

after hooking up the drag link, it is clear that there is much more work to be done. it clears the oil filter and oil pan by an inch maybe. But, after I move the axle back an inch, throw in another leaf or so in each pack, and add some bump stops, I should be close to ok. I can always pull the pitman and have it reamed from the bottom too. if that doesn't do it, I still have some hair left to pull out. I've also figured out I'll have to run high steer. I have an arm that just needs to be reamed for the tre.

still didnt get the rear susp done either. and since I'm moving, it's on the back burner for a little while. hopefully it will be ready in time for some good fall wheeling.

since is has finally started to cool off I should have this thing together before too long.

a few things I am contemplating-

for the rear, I may keep it SUA. the pack I have in mind is:
main leaf: 52"er I found in the junkyard
2nd: isuzu main with eyes cut off
3rd: isuzu 2nd leaf
4th: isuzu 3rd leaf
5th: add-a-leaf
no overload.

probably a 7"+ shackle

I'll have put a new spring hangar about 4.5" forward from the stock mount, which puts it a few inches lower on the frame, so I may gain an inch or so lift there.

I figure a SOA with the stockers might be easier, though it really wouldn't flex much better than it already does, but the longer spring and shackle combo would. and it may not wrap as bad as stockers soa. heck I wouldn't expect either setup to last longer than a few good trips anyway, so I might as well have fun and try someting different.

I'm also looking at new shafts and u-joints for the d44. I'm leaning heavily towards the alloy usa shafts and longfield u-joints. the alloy usa shafts have a no questions asked lifetime warrantee, and the longfields also have a lifetime warrantee. I ought to be safe for a few sizes bigger than the 36's with this setup <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

but before I can go crazy I need to get my steering together. ream the pitman from the bottom, and get my driver's side highsteer arm reamed for the tie-rod.

after all of that, I'll cobble a square front shaft together with the d44 stuff on it's end and a toyota u-joint at the case, and take my rear shafts ends to a shop and have them do it up with some 3/16th wall.

only thing left will be getting the 2.6 running good enough for a trail-ride. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

I'm really starting to get mad at this thing, and myself. I want to wheel (and soon!) but I want to do this right. and everytime I go out and tinker I see things I should've done differently, but was too stubborn to change. I can cobble it together and maybe get some wheeling in before the dead of winter, or I can basically start over and do it right and have it together by springtime maybe. the cost won't be as much of an issue down the road, and I will be able to get better parts and ultimately better performance. Plus, I know that if I don't do it right, I'll be dissatisfied everytime I look at it.

So, I'm thinking of getting a cheap 4wd beater to flog on while I rework the trooper. I can take my time and do the troop right, while being able to satisfy the 4low urge.

I just want to go wheeling!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

I know exactly what you mean. I know that when I take that plunge and cut the front off, that I'll re-think every step, and take twice as long as I planned. It's what makes me want to buy another truck to SAS. I would still be able to wheel, no matter how long it took <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I agree that you won't be happy in the long run if you half <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> it. What are you wanting to rebuild?

re-do: lets see, as for the suspension, I want to tuck my front shackle hangers back farther, and make different hangers for the back of the spring. the ones I have in there now hang pretty low. thinking about going with either some custom spring packs (alcan/national/etc) or get some aftermarket waggies. i also want to take a cue from the guys building buggies and build it at full compression.

do it right the first time:
the rear I really need to make up my mind leaves vs link. if I go for good quality leaves, I'll be in almost the same amount as I would with a link setup.

with the steering, I need to get a drivers side high-steer arm and I need a flat pitman arm reamed from the bottom to correct clearance issues with the oil pain and some other stuff.

protection/safety/recovery- winch and a cage (probably interior so's i can show off my dents <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

Drivetrain- get the r&p set up out back and weld it. front axle will get the blingin alloy and joint combo. and since I'm going to take my time, I might as well do something with the case. either teralows or a divorced case behind the stocker, whichever I can get my mits on.

And then the engine. the 2.6 and I really need to spend some quality time together. basic maintenace and normal 2.6 behavior problems need to be addressed, and then add a little pep with some performance goodies.

The goal is to have something built well enough to handle the long highway drives out to all the good wheeling spots, wheel the wee out of it, and then drive it home.

it may take longer than this spring, and if that's what it takes, so be it. hopefully I can find a beater pretty soon. I want to get out while the weather is nice.

I hear ya man, it has been several years since I have been to the trails when I had my cj7. Got rid of it about 5 years ago and came across a free trooper, now I have it ripped apart and am waiting on parts and money to buy more parts. I also dont want to rush it into working condition so I can trail ride. I want it to be a DD and very capable on the trails too.

Hey man, hang in there. My rodeo had been sitting since November until I finally got my butt in gear and finished it for Callantee last month. It helps to have a deadline.




Your Chevy is 4wd, whats the problem <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />